Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge won the Olympic men’s marathon with a commanding performance here on Sunday, winning his second straight gold medal and cementing his place among the all-time greats of the sport.

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands took silver and Belgium’s Bashir Abdi won bronze.

Kipchoge, 36, joins Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila (1960 and 1964) and East Germany’s Waldemar Cierpinski (1976 and 1980) as the only marathon runners to win back-to-back gold medals on the Olympic stage.

The world record holder has now won four Olympic medals overall, having also taken 5,000m silver in 2008 and bronze in 2004.

“I was really happy, I can’t describe it,” Kipchoge said of his feelings as he crossed the finish line holding up two fingers to signify his two gold medals.

“I think I fulfilled the legacy by winning the marathon for the second time. That’s my total happiness, my inspiration for the next generation.”

Kipchoge showed why he was the man to beat going into Sunday’s race when he took full control as he pushed ahead of the pack after the 30km mark.

By the 35km stage he had jumped out to a lead of 27 seconds from a virtual tie 5km earlier and extended it to one minute and 17 seconds by 40km.

Kipchoge finished in two hours, eight minutes and 38 seconds, one minute and 20 seconds ahead of Nageeye.

USA’s 7th

Team USA’s women’s basketball team extended their gold-winning run to seven straight Olympic Games after a 90-75 win over Japan. The USA dominated from the start, building a 23-14 lead in the first quarter that they never relinquished.

Serbia best

Rio 2016 champions Serbia won their second consecutive Olympic gold medal in men’s water polo, beating Greece 13-10 in a thrilling final. The Greek team settled for silver, their first podium finish in men’s water polo, while Hungary claimed the bronze medal in the oldest team sport at the Olympics after defeating Spain 9-5.

_ Serbia are the fourth team to retain an Olympic gold in men’s water polo, after Britain, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Both Britain and Hungary have won three gold medals in a row.